Music at Saint Philip's
Eleven services later, I feel that we have just begun, perhaps because
there are so many possibilities, and so much yet to do.
Looking back,
the choir has sung eleven anthems. Seven of these were sung a
cappella, and an eighth had an extensive a cappella section.
Diane
Slezek contributed a gorgeous solo piece on Christmas Eve. In
early January, Ariel Utgoff gave us violin solos for the prelude and
postlude. Later in the month, the Caterwaulers joined our
choir for a beautiful Bach chorale. Our choir grew by one new
member. Recently,
we had an early evening tutorial on music notation; handouts from that
are available.
Looking ahead, we will explore new anthems, including some with solos
for various choir members. We have added three new anthems to
our
collection, and we will have heard at least two of these by Palm
Sunday. The choir will be offering longer anthems from time
to time,
with Mozart's De Profundis coming soon. If you would like to
join or
visit the choir, please do. Rehearsals are Thursdays
7:15-8:45PM and
Sundays 9:15-9:50AM. We are in particular need of
tenors. If you would sing tenor if someone else would too,
please let me know. Diane
will be offering us at least two arias in the upcoming
months. If you
play an instrument, there are opportunities in accompanying, or you
may wish to present a piece on your own.
The organ was tuned and repaired recently, but unfortunately the
tuning drifted out quite quickly and by a significant amount.
Bill
Czelusniak is studying the problem, and we may hope that he will
return with a solution before long. We will have a larger
than usual
prelude and postlude on February 26th, and also once each in March and
April. For the last Sunday of May, the postlude will be the
Allegro
from Widor's Sixth Organ Symphony. Requests?
Lessons? The organ has
quite an extensive literature, and we have a very nice instrument.
If you have thoughts or suggestions regarding music, please let me
know, in person, by phone (413) 253-3270, or by email
utgoff@cs.umass.edu.
Paul Utgoff
Music Director